Module manager: Yasar Awais
Email: y.awais@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module gathers knowledge and processes relating to professional practice covered in part by others, such as design studios, into a distinct topic, enabling students to put them into a conceptual and theoretical framework.
Students will gain knowledge of the statutory processes and frameworks associated with the construction industry with particular regard for the role of the design team; an understanding of the principles and practice of project management; an understanding of the purpose and forms of contract law as affecting building design and construction; knowledge of business principles relevant to the operation of a building design consultancy.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject (ARB competences between brackets and AHEP4 outcomes between square brackets):
1. Recognise the significance of the Codes of Conduct for both architects and engineers, and the need to act always in an ethical and professional manner (PE1), and the architects and engineers obligations to the health and safety of the public and building users and building constructors (PE4) part as well as to the environment and society in the future (PE5) [M7, M8]
2. Recognise the responsibilities and duties of care that architects and engineers have towards their clients, users, the public and those with whom they work (PE6), Acknowledging and working within the limits of their competence, expertise, and experience (PE8 part)
3. Adopt a reflective approach to their work by identifying individual learning needs required for further development within the profession, ensuring they are up to date with current standards and best practice (PE7) [M18], part recognising and working within the limits of their competence, expertise, and experience (PE8 part)
4. Understand the role of architects and engineers in society, the design team and the construction industry and how diverse influences affect aspects of architecture and urban design, ensuring that buildings are safe to construct, inhabit, use and maintain, refurbish, re-use and deconstruct (CK1 part, CK2, CK7)
5. Understand the consequences of design decision making on value to clients and communities over the life-cycle of built projects and the costs to the environment (D7 part), the importance of design solutions that achieve or exceed relevant performance standards and requirements (D8 part), how modelling and post occupancy evaluation inform design (RE6) and the implications and benefits of regenerative design solutions and ethical sourcing and supply chains (D9 part)
6. Understand the importance of working with clients and other stakeholders to gain a mutual understanding of project issues to develop appropriate briefs and processes (RE2 part) including relevant legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and policies related to the development of the built environment (RE4) including evidence that may be incomplete or contradictory (RE5) [M14, M17]
7. Understand principles of sustainable, responsible and ethical practice (M1), including financial and resource management (M2), the ethical and legal impact of practice structures, employment terms and their impact on health and the wellbeing of colleagues (M3) and recognise how they relate to running an architect’s practice. (M1)[M11, M15]
8. Understand the diversity of procurement routes and the principles of risk management, liabilities, and insurance (M7) part, recognising their relative risks to contractual parties, their implications for sustainable design outcomes and how these influence the selection and management of construction contracts (M6 part), as well as the principles and challenges of managing and administering construction contracts (M4 part), including inter-relationships of diverse parties involved in procuring and delivering architectural projects, and recognising how these are defined through contractual and organisational structures (M5 part)
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
a. Academic skills in collection, analysis evaluation and synthesis of data sources.
b. Digital skills to assemble, collate and organise information in technical and graphic communication
c. Identification of key issues within a diverse set of contexts and ability to develop themes from these.
d. Team and individual working showing initiative and collaboration
This module provides students with an understanding of the construction industry, as well as the roles and responsibilities of architects and other professionals within the design team. Topics within this are framed by key themes including statutory legislation affecting professional standards, site operation standards including health & safety, safe working practices and the role of the designer; key relationships between architects, other design team members and the client, with how these are operated through contract law and procedures; how design activity is mediated by and through design team processes, planning and building regulations; an introduction to project management principles and processes; an introduction to business practices in the context of an architectural or other building design consultancy.
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 4 | 0.5 | 2 |
| Lecture | 8 | 2 | 16 |
| Seminar | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Private study hours | 120 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Through seminars held to discuss answers to coursework questions.
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 30/04/2025
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